This was a fun read, excellent on audio. My issue with the story is the 3 page wrap-up explanation at the end. The characters are believable, their y This was a fun read, excellent on audio. My issue with the story is the 3 page wrap-up explanation at the end. The characters are believable, their youth shines through in their relationships, as friends, as boyfriend-girlfriend, as mother-daughter. What wasn't very satisfying was the end, the way the crimes were solved, the motivation for the crimes. Fun, no doubt, but didn't leave me wishing for another book from this author. ...more
The core of this book takes place in Kenya, England, Sudan, Germany, Italy and Canada. There are British diplomats, scientists, aid workers, Africans,The core of this book takes place in Kenya, England, Sudan, Germany, Italy and Canada. There are British diplomats, scientists, aid workers, Africans, Scotland Yard, pharmaceutical companies, murders, intrigue, relationships and business deals involved. And all of this is loosely based on events that actually happened.
I wish I had written a review immediately instead of weeks later, but the story itself still resonates with me and at the time I read it I could not put it down. 5 stars for me. ...more
Renee Ballard is a smart cop who has had to deal with an unsavory boss and a partner who chose to advance his career rather than have her back. She's Renee Ballard is a smart cop who has had to deal with an unsavory boss and a partner who chose to advance his career rather than have her back. She's smart, she's tough and she has a great dog. Good story although the ending was a bit abrupt. I'll definitely look for this character to develop.
I listened on audio and the narration was excellent. ...more
This book is at times an exposé of the Amish, a sorrowful, haunting account of child abuse and neglect, and a call to those who witness the abuse to dThis book is at times an exposé of the Amish, a sorrowful, haunting account of child abuse and neglect, and a call to those who witness the abuse to do something about it. Growing up in a world that many of us cannot even begin to imagine - our minds simply can't go there - sisters Misty and Samantha endured such incredibly harsh abuse that it's a wonder they weren't "accidentally" killed by their parents. Sent to live with the Amish to diversify the bloodline of the cult, Misty once again became the victim of abuse. With a 2nd- or 3rd-grade education and the brainwashing she was brought up with, it took years for her to figure out that this religion was not all it seemed to be to the outside world, that her abuse as a child and as a young adult was wrong and finally find her way out of it and into a new life. Along the way she realized that law enforcement and agencies treat the Amish with kid gloves, that victims of sexual abuse or any abuse really, need evidence for them to be believed and that good people sometimes turn a blind eye to what they perceive to be none of their business. I read this in two sittings and have great respect for the woman Misty became and wish her peace. ...more
Another short, fast-paced novel that follows detective Harry Bosch. A dog finds an old bone on a hill and Harry is called to figure out who it belongeAnother short, fast-paced novel that follows detective Harry Bosch. A dog finds an old bone on a hill and Harry is called to figure out who it belonged to, how it got there, and who put it there. Harry needs to redeem himself with the LAPD by solving this mystery and goes about it methodically. Very well done again with a great ending, surprising but totally plausible....more
'I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her.'
This is the opening line of this pyschological crime book. In this book we meet Oliver, a wri'I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her.'
This is the opening line of this pyschological crime book. In this book we meet Oliver, a writer of children's books, and his battered wife, Alice, who illustrates his children's books. We also meet the people who have surrounded Oliver from childhood. The plot starts with Oliver beating his wife into a coma, but from there, like peeling the layers of an onion, Oliver's life is examined and disected from the point of view as his friends, neighbors and family try to figure out what makes a seemingly normal, very successful man commit horrible acts.
How does childhood influence an intelligent adult? Is it possible to shake off feelings of inadequacy, shame, envy - and if we can't, what are the consequences?
The book is written in a distinct and interesting way in somewhat of a chronological order after the initial few pages, starting with Oliver's miserable childhood influenced by religious hypocrisy. Each character, his half brother, his school friend, his employer, all take a chapter or two and tell their version of knowing Oliver and try to explain his behavior from what they can piece together from relationship with him. But in the end, it's up to the reader to unravel how his mind worked....more
This book just wasn't for me and if it hadn't been for book club, I would have DNF'd it by page 3. I don't like the genre of crime thriller to begin wThis book just wasn't for me and if it hadn't been for book club, I would have DNF'd it by page 3. I don't like the genre of crime thriller to begin with so I won't give it a star rating, but I do have an opinion:
It's the story of 2 men in one body. Beauregard, a loving father and husband, smart and hardworking mechanic, and his alter ego, Bug, a getaway driver gangster. After years of honest living, Beau runs into money trouble - college, a nursing home bill for his mom, braces for one of his boys, an auto shop with declining clientele and increasing competition take a toll on his finances. He has a choice to make: sell his beloved Duster that his dad left him, mortgage the auto shop or participate in a one-off heist that will solve his problems.
NPR pointed out this in its review: "Despite that pleasure, he's done time, so he knows what's at stake, and the only reason he gets back into the life is because financial pressures push him to it. Crime means keeping his business running, his children fed, his mother safe, and giving his daughter a chance to be better than him by going to college.
I cry BS. The man had choices. Selling his car would have solved most of his issues. Mortgaging the shop would have solved the rest. No crime involved. Nobody dies. Choices. Life is made of choices, and some of them are hard. I get the racial issues. I get overcoming legacy and the past. I don't get Bug.
The book is violent, the plot at times forces you to suspend belief and then there's the writing... I'm not an English major, but I found the constant use of similes annoying. He uses them sometimes 2 or 3 times on a page. And the vocabulary, forget the swear words and vulgarities - he leads me to believe that this is common in that world, Ok. But the book is written in a laid back, easy English only to be interrupted by words like:
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